Review / Glen Moray Twisted Vine

This whisky is a new permanent addition to their core range from the Speyside distillery of Glen Moray. The Glen Moray Twisted Vine has been matured in ex-Cognac casks made from French oak. These were sourced from the famous brandy producing region of Cognac in France. It is the latest release from the distillery to be from an 'unorthodox cask type', something that Glen Moray has a reputation for. The packaging shows a vine with golden grapes against a blue background. The single malt is supported by an advert campaign and bar activations in four UK cities. Glen Moray Twisted Vine is bottled at 40% ABV and will be available in UK specialist retailers and selected markets. A bottle will cost £28/ $US35. 

Review / Mackmyra Limousin

This whisky is the latest seasonal limited edition release from the Swedish single malt distillery of Mackmyra. The Mackmyra Limousin is a limited edition that features ex-Cognac barrels from Pierre Ferrand. Ferrand is one of France's oldest Cognac houses and was founded in 1702. These barrels are made of the renowned Limousin oak, a sub-species of European oak that is often used to mature Cognac eaux-de-vie and Bordeaux wines. Ferrand barrels are made to a specific size of 270 litres for the brand. Other casks featured in the recipe include ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso sherry, virgin American oak, plus Swedish ex-cherry wine and ex-forest raspberry wine.

Review - The Glenlivet Captain's Reserve

The Captain's Reserve is a new single malt from the famous Speyside distillery of The Glenlivet. The new expression has been finished in ex-Cognac casks and honours Captain William Smith Grant, the great grandson of The Glenlivet's founder George Smith, who fought in France during the First World War. It is initially matured in first-fill ex-sherry casks made from American oak. It joins numerous expressions in the core range, including the Founder's Reserve and recently re-introduced 12 years old, but also designed to show the versatility of the Glenlivet spirit and the experimentation happening at the distillery.